Hi Patti,

As everyone here will attest, I have been known to get obsessive about
some mechanical (or pneumatic) aspect of Vanagons more than once. Others
of you (you know who you are) may know that you are sometimes too
careless, too willing to deny that that "funny sound" (or fitful orange
flickering) in the engine compartment could possibly be an indication of
impending doom. The middle way, I am convinced,* is the path to
happiness in Vanagon camping. One cannot predict and prepare for all
emergencies, so prepare for those easily prepared for and leave the
others to chance. Don't sweat the little stuff, but don't spend a
lifetime preparing for the asteroid strike either.

I guess the bullet point I'm hoping you'll take home is: After preparing
about as well as you can prepare w/o popping a gasket, then load the
gear, check the credit card, fire 'er up, and head on out. Let life
dictate the rest.

(A lesson I continue to forget so I can enjoy learning again.)

=============
* YMMV

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer: Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

On 8/15/2008 5:28 PM PB wrote:

> My husband, my 2 small dogs (3 lbs and 11 lbs,) and I are about to go on our
> very first camping trip in the Westy, which I've had for a little over a
> year.  The van was recently checked out by a mechanic, and is working just
> fine.  We're going to Lake Lopez in California.  I haven't been camping at
> for around 15 years, so I hope I don't forget anything.  We're planning to
> stay for 3 nights.
>
> For safety, I've decided to get the propane tank changed out by GoWesty,
> which is fairly close to where we're going.
>
> Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for us?
> Thanks.
> Patti
> 90 Westy Automatic
>